Success in reproduction is subject to the successful initiation as well as successful completion of a chain of consecutive events starting from flower formation and ending with viable seed production. A recent article published by Raina et al. in AoB PLANTS focuses on how thigmotropic stigmas, which open, close and re-open in response to touch, […]

There is mounting evidence that we have entered the sixth mass extinction period, where species diversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate. Cycads are the most threatened plant group in the plant kingdom, and thus a recent study published in AoB PLANTS by Mankga and Yessoufou investigated the factors that correlate with the extinction […]

The characteristics of the breeding systems of woody bamboo species are not well defined, although this knowledge is important for research on the genetic improvement and conservation of bamboo forests. A recent study published in AoB PLANTS by Chen et al. is the first report on variations in the breeding systems of mass and sporadically […]

Oxalis laciniata is endemic to the Patagonia region of South America, inhabiting high mountains and steppe and even growing on the coast. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS by López and Bonasora, the marked polymorphism in this species led the authors to test whether its genetic variability would explain both its morphological variability […]

AoB PLANTS, an open-access journal published by Oxford University Press, is seeking a Managing Editor to assist with all aspects of journal operations. Established in 2009, this non-profit journal publishes peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of environmental and evolutionary plant biology. Submitted manuscripts undergo rigorous double-blind evaluation, and accepted articles are published online within days […]

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to arid basins of northwestern China. In a new study published in AoB PLANTS Xiao et al. assessed the genetic diversity and structure of 15 T. taklamakanensis populations in the Tarim Basin, China. Based on seven microsatellite loci, they found that the total gene diversity was moderate, whereas […]

The Mesozoic is often referred to as the “age of cycads”. During this period, dinosaurs roamed vast cycad forests, yet modern cycads are a vestige of their Mesozoic glory. Extant species represent the oldest lineage of dioecious seed-bearing plants. This curious phylogenic position is matched by their unusual ecology: most species are extremely rare while […]

Tillering is an important agronomic trait for rice population quality and grain production. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Wang et al. found that nitrogen fertilizer application increased the number of rice tillers, but not every tiller contributed equally to the overall yield. Heterogeneity in tiller yield of rice increased with increasing nitrogen […]

Antibiotics used in the livestock industry are released to agricultural fields via grazing animals and manure. From there, they may affect human health due to consumption of antibiotic-exposed crop plants or drinking water. Also they may affect the performance of naturally occurring non-target species. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Minden et al. […]

Some deleterious effects of drought, soil salinity and other abiotic stresses are mediated by the generation of oxidative stress through an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular membranes, proteins and DNA. In response to increased ROS, plants activate an array of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence responses. In a recent study published […]

Invasive herbivores can dramatically impact the nitrogen economy of native hosts. In eastern forests of the United States, the foundational conifer eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is under threat of extirpation by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA: Adelges tsugae). A recent study published in AoB PLANTS by Schaeffer et al. suggests that HWA-induced mobilization of […]

New research shows that loss of a group of pollinators doesn't always have a predictable decline in pollination success.